Lakers News: Chris Kaman Believes He Can Still Play At All-Star Level

The Lakers had a press conference to formally introduce Chris Kaman as a member of the team. Kaman posed with GM Mitch Kupchak and his new jersey, sporting the number nine for the first time in his career.

Many people don’t realize that Kaman is a former All-Star, being named as a reserve for the 2010 team in a season when he averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 76 games for the Los Angeles Clippers.

While nobody is expecting Kaman to replicate those numbers this season, Kaman believes he still has it in him:

I don’t think that much has changed in me mentally or physically. Sometimes people just get hurt […] I feel confident that I can be at that (All-Star) level.

While it is unknown whether Kaman will start or come off the bench, he is expected to be a big contributor this season and hopes to thrive in Mike D’Antoni offense, which he admittedly is looking forward to playing in.

Whether two big men with the skillset of Kaman and Gasol can work together in this offense remains to be seen, but if Kaman can get close to his All-Star level and Gasol can keep up his stellar play from the end of last season, these two can form a very formidable front line for the Lakers.

Kaman averaged 10.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in 66 games last season for the Dallas Mavericks.